1st Gen LS400 Owners - How much did you pay, How many miles, What condition?
12-02-16, 02:12 AM
#151
why buy a car you aren't going to drive? Doesn't make much sense to me......
12-03-16, 12:23 AM
#152
Same reason someone would buy a picture and just hang on the wall and not take it outside and throw water balloons at it I guess. And I'm sure if you go to that corvette museum or anyother car museum they buy cars that they never plan to drive. If your buying a super duper top condition LS to drive why? Just get some dented mess to drive. Sell me the good one, I'll keep it nice. Everytime any car goes down the road, it runs the chance of getting totaled. Or if it sees a parking lot, it can get ruined unless you post a guard next to it.
Last edited by dicer; 12-03-16 at 12:27 AM.
The following users liked this post:
Tonyd70 (08-04-22)
12-03-16, 07:21 AM
#153
I sure wish I had $8,500 that I was looking to spend on a new car. I will be in the market for a new vehicle for the family in 2 years once we sell out VW TDI back, but for now the LS400's are hobbies for me. But this car is a 1997 with 41,000 miles and pretty close to me. Black on black and looks very very shiny! LS400's are still good cars with the 200k miles that most of them have on them these days. But, to have one with 41k miles you aren't going to find a better bargain for any sort of luxury sedan for the money. And I'm saying pay whatever the hell the owner wants to get for it because it will most likely be under $10,000 and you aren't touching a car of this quality for anything near that.
1997 Lexus LS400
1997 Lexus LS400
03-27-17, 08:32 AM
#154
And I'm saying pay whatever the hell the owner wants to get for it because it will most likely be under $10,000 and you aren't touching a car of this quality for anything near that.
1997 Lexus LS400
1997 Lexus LS400
04-23-17, 08:21 PM
#155
Bought my '96 LS 400 from my mom's Estate for $7,000. It had 12,000 miles on the clock and now has 18,000 miles. Replaced the OEM Tires with Michelins, replaced the cabin air filter, and have changed the oil a few times. It now has 18,000 on the clock and is about to be my travel car for retirement next year.
The following users liked this post:
BNastee (04-24-17)
04-29-17, 05:28 AM
#156
Lexus Test Driver
Exactly . . . I just picked up a 1991 Lexus LS 400 with 57,700 miles for $6,800.00, no dickering over price. I did not care what current prices are for like vehicles. It was a clean high quality simple elegant car that I could not buy new today at any price. No frou-frou. No gadgets. No buttons bristling off the steering wheel, no screens to distract me, and best of all, this car was built when Toyota was still trying hard to execute real craftsmanship. You couldn't pay me to drive a bloated new Lexus.
The following users liked this post:
CELSI0R (04-29-17)
04-29-17, 03:10 PM
#157
And if you drive it. It will be another fine example that ends up in a scrap yard. I'm curious does it have any options?
Has the timing belt been changed yet? The car likely needs more work than you think. I'm sad thinking its going to see more rock chips on the glass and paint, and goof ball mechanics and the like, parking lot door dings and all the other fun stuff that happens to driven cars. It is nice to see one that has been ran into a curb with the front bumper.
And good for these lowered and vip crowd to see what a good stock example can sell for. I see the lowered modified things going all day long for less than 2k.
Has the timing belt been changed yet? The car likely needs more work than you think. I'm sad thinking its going to see more rock chips on the glass and paint, and goof ball mechanics and the like, parking lot door dings and all the other fun stuff that happens to driven cars. It is nice to see one that has been ran into a curb with the front bumper.
And good for these lowered and vip crowd to see what a good stock example can sell for. I see the lowered modified things going all day long for less than 2k.
Last edited by dicer; 04-29-17 at 03:36 PM.
05-01-17, 09:31 AM
#158
This is my last car. I'll take good care of it. Timing belt was done at a Lexus dealer at 52,000 miles in 2008 or so. Because it was a dealer, they padded the bill with idlers and water pump. Car has no CD player, no TRAC, no memory seats, just a stripper:
05-01-17, 11:58 AM
#159
It is so amazing that all the super nice ones have zero options. Even so that is in such good shape. Keep it that way and in not too many years it will sell for what it did brand new. So many of them being scrapped daily and have been ruined by kids by lowering and modding. This is the condition that is desirable, not a vip.
05-01-17, 12:27 PM
#160
1997 LS400 Cashmere Pearl with Cashmere leather, purchased from original-owner, excellent condition, never in an accident, no rust or paint work. Original hand-rubbed paintwork looks excellent even at 20 yrs old. Car was bought here new in my hometown of Nashville, TN. All maintenance and services done at local Lexus dealer! All service records were provided, along with original Monroney sticker (close to $50k new.) Leather is in great condition, some cracking (common) on front seat. One tear in drivers leather which I will repair. Dash is not cracked, but has one dime-sized spot that will need repair. Wood is perfect, no cracks. Steering wheel will need recon. Interior needs mild detailing. No after-market window tint. The CAR LOOKS NEW! Everything works with exception of w/s wiper washer. Original owner installed Michelins before I purchased her. The ride is UNBELIEVABLE. I have owned older 1970s luxury cars and this car is superior in smoothness, but NOT a floaty ride like the older land yachts. Car handles exceptional well for a large sedan. Car is serene and vault-like quiet. I bought her a few months ago for $3200 and I do not regret the purchase.
05-01-17, 01:01 PM
#161
Man that is a BEAUTIFUL, PRISTINE automobile. Like you, I enjoy simplicity and I do not care for all the latest gadgets and distractions. I hope you plan on showing the car in local car shows and at Cars and Coffee type meets? We need to help educate the masses and help perpetuate the quality of the Lexus brand imho. I would absolutely love to see your car in person, but then again I'm a car nut.
Exactly . . . I just picked up a 1991 Lexus LS 400 with 57,700 miles for $6,800.00, no dickering over price. I did not care what current prices are for like vehicles. It was a clean high quality simple elegant car that I could not buy new today at any price. No frou-frou. No gadgets. No buttons bristling off the steering wheel, no screens to distract me, and best of all, this car was built when Toyota was still trying hard to execute real craftsmanship. You couldn't pay me to drive a bloated new Lexus.
05-01-17, 01:10 PM
#162
STUNNING and absolutely gorgeous! It is nice to know there are still some pristine ones out there, although very rare indeed.
05-01-17, 01:19 PM
#163
Absolutely beautiful Neofate!!!
Purchased my 1994 LS 400 for $4495. Everything was fixed at that price. Interior is immaculate,.. 9.9/10. Exterior is Immaculate as well,.. aside from a bit of paint splatter near a wheel well, that I can get off with some elbow grease it is perfect. No wrecks , all service history, 2nd owner.
Came with Factory manuals, Factory sticker, Billfold key, remote door lock master key, and Valey key.
Was Lexus Certified before listed.
Also came with guarantee from owner (master mechanic) that if anything goes wrong with the engine/drivetrain within the next year the parts/labor are free. As an aside I get free labor for general maintenance/parts (Ie: if I want to put new shocks on it, etc) if I bring the parts to him, or give him the money to buy them himself.
So the price is a little higher than some of these listed thus far, but for a 9.9/10 Lexus with zero problems, I think it was very reasonable.
*The power steering pump is being replaced , but that was mentioned before purchase and is a free fix from the previous owner/mechanic.
I tend to think for a rare conditioned lexus of first Gen such as I found,.. anything between 4k-6k is fair. Most are not nearly as clean,.. so you can expect to pay between 1800-4k for most Gen I's at a *fair* price. I do know of a few people who pay substantially more than that for Gen I's .. and it still doesn't bother me because I think these cars are worth more than what they sell for,.. people just can't get more than that for them due to milage. (The basis other cars are priced upon used).
Your average car isn't near the quality the Lexus LS 400 , especially 90-2000 models,.. as such the mileage doesn't truly reflect the worth of the car.
I can compare 100k mileage on an LS400 with 30-50k on another decent car. If the car is clean and has been maintained, 100k *IS* low mileage for these cars considering it doesn't take a stroke of rare magical luck for them to run 350-400k without major engine/tranny trouble.
Good thread,.. not sure how many people visit this area who don't yet own an LS 400, but it is an awesome place to study if one is interested in the car.
*Edit:
State: Alabama -- City: Birmingham (Largest city in state)
228k
Pics -
Came with Factory manuals, Factory sticker, Billfold key, remote door lock master key, and Valey key.
Was Lexus Certified before listed.
Also came with guarantee from owner (master mechanic) that if anything goes wrong with the engine/drivetrain within the next year the parts/labor are free. As an aside I get free labor for general maintenance/parts (Ie: if I want to put new shocks on it, etc) if I bring the parts to him, or give him the money to buy them himself.
So the price is a little higher than some of these listed thus far, but for a 9.9/10 Lexus with zero problems, I think it was very reasonable.
*The power steering pump is being replaced , but that was mentioned before purchase and is a free fix from the previous owner/mechanic.
I tend to think for a rare conditioned lexus of first Gen such as I found,.. anything between 4k-6k is fair. Most are not nearly as clean,.. so you can expect to pay between 1800-4k for most Gen I's at a *fair* price. I do know of a few people who pay substantially more than that for Gen I's .. and it still doesn't bother me because I think these cars are worth more than what they sell for,.. people just can't get more than that for them due to milage. (The basis other cars are priced upon used).
Your average car isn't near the quality the Lexus LS 400 , especially 90-2000 models,.. as such the mileage doesn't truly reflect the worth of the car.
I can compare 100k mileage on an LS400 with 30-50k on another decent car. If the car is clean and has been maintained, 100k *IS* low mileage for these cars considering it doesn't take a stroke of rare magical luck for them to run 350-400k without major engine/tranny trouble.
Good thread,.. not sure how many people visit this area who don't yet own an LS 400, but it is an awesome place to study if one is interested in the car.
*Edit:
State: Alabama -- City: Birmingham (Largest city in state)
228k
Pics -
05-01-17, 10:09 PM
#164
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: May 2017
Location: PA
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I paid $100 for mine. It Needs a few things, new drivers side headlights, a drivers side quarter panel, front bumper and a fan clutch bracket. But overall it wasn't a bad deal. It has 216k miles on It though
05-02-17, 12:30 PM
#165
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Michigan
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Damn, and I thought I got a deal. Mine was $1300 with 228k on the clock. It needed pads and rotors, and a full ignition tune up, but she runs like a champ now. The car was a little dirty, the front seats were ripped, and there are two small rust spots on the exterior, one on a door, and one on the drivers side rear fender.